Participate in the Passover ritual of removing chametz (leavened food products) from the home before the holiday begins.

Connect this Passover ritual to acts of social justice.

Assist those who are in need in your local community.

Overview:The ritual of chametz removal/searching takes place before Passover begins. In a sense, this is the Jewish equivalent of “spring cleaning,” for we thoroughly clean the entire house in a search for leavened products, down to the smallest crumb. This ritual serves as an opportunity to hosts a synagogue-wide food drive to donate to a local food pantry or soup kitchen.

Preparation:To encourage the congregation to donate during Passover, send a flyer to each family explaining the project. This informational one-sheet should include:

Explanation of the ritual of chametz removal

When/where donations will be collected

Where donations will be distributed

Informational “blurb” about this project that can be shared during their family’s Passover Seder.

Project Implementation:Advertising can take place in the synagogue bulletin, on the website, as a mailing to all congregants, in religious schools, at board and auxiliary meetings and at events. Volunteers should be recruited to staff donation collection tables at high-traffic times (e.g. religious school drop-off). Volunteers will be needed to package donations and deliver to appropriate shelters/pantries.

Results: Hosting a Chametz food drive allows us to act upon the command to “let all who are hungry come and eat.” It serves as a reminder to us of those who search daily for a nutritional meal to sustain themselves and their families.